King vows continued efforts to defend Palestinian rightsAmman, 25 November 2013

His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday underlined that the two-state solution, which enjoys Arab and international consensus, is the cornerstone for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the sole path to arrive at comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

In a letter sent to Abdou Salam Diallo, chairman of the Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, King Abdullah called on the international community to bear its responsibility in urging stakeholders to hold on to the two-state formula.

His Majesty said Jordan, in coordination with the Palestinian Authority, would continue to exert all efforts to protect Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and maintain the city’s Arab identity, including the continued presence of its Muslim and Christian residents.

The King noted that the Kingdom would also work to encourage the international community to shoulder its responsibility in halting the Israeli “arbitrary” and “dangerous” unilateral measures in Jerusalem, particularly those targeting Al Aqsa Mosque and surrounding areas.

His Majesty said that the committee has succeeded in the past decades in keeping the Palestinian issue on top of the international agenda and to mobilise international support for the Palestinian people, who are suffering from a difficult situation due to the Israeli occupation and unjust practices.

While citing the “positive” step that led to the resumption of direct talks between the Palestinians and Israelis to reach the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, the King voiced concern that the unlawful Israeli unilateral measures, especially settlement expansion, might lead to hampering peace efforts.

Noting that Arab and Muslim countries have unanimously called for just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution, His Majesty called for resolving the conflict through serious negotiations based on the agreed-on terms of reference, particularly the Arab Peace Initiative, according to a specific timetable.

The pan-Arab overture was suggested by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in 2002, when he was the crown prince. It was adopted by Arab leaders in their Beirut summit.

The King has repeatedly warned that the initiative would not remain on the table forever.

His Majesty added that talks should lead to a compromise that safeguards the rights of Palestinians and meets their aspirations to have an independent state on their national soil, reiterating Jordan’s commitment to continuing support for the Palestinian cause to bring peace, security and stability to the region.

The committee was established in 1975 by a UN General Assembly Resolution 3376 and requested it to recommend a programme of implementation to enable the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable rights to self-determination without external interference, national independence and sovereignty, and to return to their homes and property from which they had been displaced.